Pittsburgh Penguins - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres showing lack of accountability on and off ice

PITTSBURGH – When the dressing room door opened following Buffalo Sabres’ dispirited 5-0 loss to the Penguins on Saturday, three players – captain Brian Gionta, forward Cody McCormick and goalie Jhonas Enroth – were still at their stalls.

Three.

Nineteen players participated in the Sabres’ 10^th loss in 12 games.

Given the Sabres’ actions on the bench, coach Ted Nolan’s not surprised players bolted from the room. He said they must be accountable.

“It’s ... Read the full article

Penguins’ Christian Ehrhoff happy with fresh start, sorry Sabres struggling

PITTSBURGH – Penguins defenseman Christian Ehrhoff figured since the Buffalo Sabres asked him to submit a no-trade list last season, the rebuilding team would deal him during the summer.

“That was kind of my expectation,” Ehrhoff said Saturday prior to the Penguins’ 5-0 win inside the Consol Energy Center, “but it didn’t end up that way.”

On June 29, the Sabres used their second compliance buyout to eat the final seven seasons of Ehrhoff’s 10-year ... Read the full article

Struggling Chris Stewart trying to spark Sabres

PITTSBURGH – Fifty-one seconds into Thursday’s 3-2 overtime loss, struggling winger Chris Stewart tried to ignite himself and the Buffalo Sabres.

“When you’re not scoring, you got to start doing some other things to make yourselves relevant in the game,” Stewart said this afternoon inside the Consol Energy Center. “Eleven games in and no goals, you got to start doing something else.”

So the 6-foot-2, 231-pound Stewart challenged one of the NHL’s toughest and ... Read the full article

Penguins’ Christian Ehrhoff knew he would leave Sabres

PITTSBURGH – Penguins defenseman Christian Ehrhoff figured since the Buffalo Sabres asked him to submit a no-trade list last season, the rebuilding team would deal him during the summer.

“That was kind of my expectation,” Ehrhoff said this morning inside the Consol Energy Center, “but it didn’t end up that way.”

On June 29, the Sabres used their second compliance buyout to eat the final seven seasons of Ehrhoff’s 10-year contract. The German signed a ... Read the full article

Sabres confident top prospect Sam Reinhart will keep developing in junior

PITTSBURGH – When general manager Tim Murray told Sam Reinhart, his top prospect, the Buffalo Sabres would be sending him back to junior, the 18-year-old handled the difficult news well.

But a few minutes later, the disappointment of leaving the First Niagara Center to begin his long trip back to the Kootenay Ice overwhelmed Reinhart.

“He was emotional,” Murray said Friday. “I guess he was emotional walking out of the rink.”

Murray understands Reinhart’s ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: GM Tim Murray undecided on Nikita Zadorov’s future

PITTSBURGH – With Sam Reinhart sent back to junior Friday, Buffalo Sabres general manager Tim Murray can concentrate on another teenage prospect, defenseman Nikita Zadorov.

“I don’t want to start juggling five balls,” Murray said inside the First Niagara Center.

The Sabres have essentially been stashing Zadorov on their roster until they find a place for him to play. The 19-year-old has played only one of the first 11 games.

Since Zadorov doesn’t have ... Read the full article

Penguins sign Christian Ehrhoff minutes into free agency

Former Buffalo Sabres defenseman Christian Ehrhoff lasted less than 10 minutes on the open market, signing a one-year, $4 million deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins early this afternoon.

The Sabres bought out the final seven seasons of the German’s 10-year, $40 million contract Sunday.

It’s a win-win deal for Ehrhoff. He’s joining a slick, superstar-laden Penguins club expected to compete for the Stanley Cup. He’ll get plenty of ice time with superstars Sidney Crosby and ... Read the full article

Instinctive game allows Sabres’ Tyler Ennis to showcase more offense and grit

BUFFALO – Tyler Ennis said he recently stopped thinking on the ice. That isn’t a bad thing, though. The slick Sabres center has just been playing more instinctively under interim coach Ted Nolan, allowing his natural talents to take over these past few months.

It’s showing on the score sheet. With an assist on Drew Stafford’s first-period goal in Wednesday’s 5-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, Ennis has four goals and 12 points in the ... Read the full article

Dan Bylsma: Ryan Miller’s play tonight won’t influence Olympic goaltending decision

BUFFALO – Tonight’s not an audition for Sabres goalie Ryan Miller, Dan Bylsma said. A spectacular performance won’t sway the Pittsburgh Penguins coach into starting the American at the upcoming Sochi Games.

“Oh, goodness, I don’t think so, either way,” Bylsma, Team USA’s Olympic coach, said this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center. “Tonight’s not the only body of work from Ryan. He’s played really well this year. He’s played really well in some ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Tyler Myers likely out against Penguins

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Tyler Myers will likely miss tonight’s tilt against the Pittsburgh Penguins after leaving Monday’s game early.

Myers (lower body) didn’t participate in the Sabres’ optional skate this morning. The 24-year-old could play Thursday in Ottawa, interim coach Ted Nolan said.

“It doesn’t look very good for tonight,” Nolan said inside the First Niagara Center. “Hopefully, he’ll be ready for tomorrow.”

Defenseman Chad Ruhwedel, a healthy scratch last game, will return. Center ... Read the full article